Disc cartridge assembly

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a disc cartridge assembly, by which loading/unloading of a disc is facilitated to enable both one use in a cartridge state and the other a use as a single disc entity. The present invention includes a lower case having a window for a drive access, an upper case provided onto the lower case, the upper case having an exposure window provided to a central part to expose a label face of a disc, a rotating ring rotatably provided within the upper and lower cases to receive an outer circumference of the disc, at least one shutter provided within the upper and lower cases to open/close the window by interoperating with a rotation of the rotating ring, and a rotating means for rotating the rotating ring by interoperating with an external device.

This application claims the benefit of the Korean Application No.10-2003-0075391 filed on Oct. 28, 2003, 10-2003-0081482 filed on Nov.18, 2003, and 10-2003-0090241 filed on Dec. 11, 2003 which are herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a disc cartridge, and moreparticularly, to a disc cartridge assembly, by which loading/unloadingof a disc is facilitated to enable both one use in a cartridge state andthe other a use as a single disc entity.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Generally, an optical disc, on which information is recorded using alaser beam, is a storage medium of large capacity to read voice or videoinformation converted to digital codes in a manner of applying a weaklaser beam to a surface of the disc to recognize strength or weakness ofa reflective laser beam.

There are CD (compact disc), DVD, LD, and the like as optical discmedia. Recently, the Blue-ray disc (BD) group and the AOD (advancedoptical disc) group are competing with each other for the nextgeneration optical disc storage media standards.

The Blue-ray disc, which has been developed to aim at HDVDR(high-definition video disc recorder), is the next generation opticaldisc storage medium using a blue semiconductor laser beam enabling torecord data more than the previous red laser beam does. Hence, theBlue-ray disc makes it possible to record over 2 hours of HDTV, or morethan 13 hours of SDTV on a 27 GB disc.

Attention is highly paid to the Blue-ray disc as a new storage mediumcompensating disadvantages of the previous DVD.

Meanwhile, a disc type record medium is inserted in a separate case toprotect a recording surface safely against dust, scratch, and the likewhile being normally kept or transported.

Currently, the record density is being raised and a thickness of aprotective layer gets thinner. Hence, a cartridge having a disc insertedtherein is used as it is, whereby the recording surface can becontinuously protected in the course of storing data in the disc typerecord medium or moving to load a disc in a player.

In general, a storage/playback device of a disc type record mediumemploys a method enabling to use both a single entity of disc or acartridge having a disc assembled thereto.

For instance, a portable storage/playback device prefers a single discentity loading to a disc-loaded cartridge loading because of spatiallimitation.

Eventually, in case of intending to use a disc loaded in a cartridge fora portable disc record medium storage/playback device enabling a singledisc entity loading only, the disc needs to be separated from thecartridge.

Yet, it is able to use a previous Blue-ray disc cartridge, as shown inFIG. 1 and FIG. 2, only if a disc D is loaded within the cartridge.

Namely, while the disc D is received within the cartridge, a lower case1 and upper case 3 are assembled to each other by screws S. In case ofunloading the disc D from the cartridge, the screws S should beunscrewed.

Besides, if the screws S are unscrewed, it is highly probable thatvarious parts, as shown in FIG. 3, could be disassembled.

Installed within the cartridge are a shutter 6 opening/closing a windowW for a drive access, a rotating wheel 7 for opening/closing theshutter, a shutter latch (not shown in the drawing) keeping the shutter6 closed, and the like, which are not fixed to the cartridge. Hence, incase of unscrewing the screws S, the parts could be disassembled fromeach other.

Hence, it becomes a major concern that a disc cartridge is developed tofacilitate loading/unloading of the disc D in/from the cartridge toenable both a usage of a cartridge state and a usage of a single discentity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a disc cartridgeassembly that substantially obviates one or more problems due tolimitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a disc cartridgeassembly, by which loading/unloading of a disc is facilitated to enableboth one use in a cartridge state and the other a use as a single discentity.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will beset forth in part in the description which follows and in part willbecome apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art uponexamination of the following or may be learned from practice of theinvention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may berealized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in thewritten description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with thepurpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, adisc cartridge assembly according to the present invention includes alower case having a window for a drive access, an upper case providedonto the lower case, the upper case having an exposure window providedto a central part to expose a label face of a disc, a rotating ringrotatably provided within the upper and lower cases to receive an outercircumference of the disc, at least one shutter provided within theupper and lower cases to open/close the window by interoperating with arotation of the rotating ring, and a rotating means for rotating therotating ring by interoperating with an external device.

In another aspect of the present invention, a disc cartridge assemblyincludes a lower case having a window for a drive access, an upper caseprovided onto the lower case, the upper case having an exposure windowprovided to a central part to expose a label face of a disc, a rotatingring rotatably provided within the upper and lower cases to receive anouter circumference of the disc, a shutter provided within the upper andlower cases to open/close the window by interoperating with a rotationof the rotating ring, a holding protrusion provided to the shutter toselectively hold an edge of the disc according to a movement of theshutter, and a rotating means for rotating the rotating ring.

In another aspect of the present invention, a disc cartridge assemblyincludes a lower case having a window for a drive access, an upper caseprovided onto the lower case, the upper case having an exposure windowprovided to a central part to expose a label face of a disc, a rotatingring rotatably provided within the upper and lower cases to receive anouter circumference of the disc, left and right shutters provided withinthe upper and lower cases to open/close the window by interoperatingwith a rotation of the rotating ring, holding protrusions provided tothe left and right shutters to selectively hold an edge of the discaccording to movements of the left and right shutters, respectively, anda manual opening/closing module provided to one sides of the upper andlower cases to be selectively rotated centering on a center of the disc,the manual opening/closing module interfering with an outercircumference of the rotating ring to rotate the rotating ring.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a disc cartridge assemblyincludes a lower case having a window for a drive access, an upper caseprovided onto the lower case, the upper case having an exposure windowprovided to a central part to expose a label face of a disc, a rotatingring rotatably provided within the upper and lower cases to receive anouter circumference of the disc, left and right shutters provided withinthe upper and lower cases to open/close the window by interoperatingwith a rotation of the rotating ring, holding protrusions provided tothe left and right shutters to selectively hold an edge of the discaccording to movements of the left and right shutters, respectively, alocking lever rotatably provided to the lower case, the locking leverrotated to selectively lock the rotation of the rotating ring, and amovable case provided movable to slide along one side of the upper case,the movable case interoperating with the locking lever to selectivelyrelease a locking state of the rotating ring, the movable case rotatingthe rotating ring by interoperating with the rotating ring.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description of the present invention areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principle of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIGS. 1 to 3 are perspective diagrams of a disc cartridge according to arelated art;

FIG. 4 is a projected perspective diagram of a disc cartridge assemblyaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective diagram of the disc cartridge assembly in FIG.4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective diagram of a disc separating apparatus accordingto a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional diagram of the disc separating apparatus inFIG. 6;

FIGS. 8A to 8D are diagrams of an interoperating structure between thedisc separating apparatus in FIG. 6 and the disc cartridge in FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a perspective diagram of a disc separated by the discseparating apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a perspective diagram of the disc separating apparatusinstalled in a product body;

FIG. 11 is a perspective diagram of a disc separating apparatusaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective diagram of a disc separated by the discseparating apparatus;

FIG. 13A is a projected perspective diagram of a disc cartridge assemblyaccording to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13B is a perspective diagram of a disc cartridge assembly accordingto another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective diagram of an elastic button;

FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B are perspective and cross-sectional diagrams of anelastic button and movement-preventing protrusion assembled to eachother, respectively;

FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B are perspective and cross-sectional diagrams of anelastic button and locking lever assembled to each other, respectively;

FIG. 17 is a layout of a disc cartridge;

FIG. 18 is a perspective diagram of a disc cartridge;

FIG. 19A is a projected perspective diagram of a disc cartridgeaccording to a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19B is a perspective diagram of a disc cartridge according to afurther embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 20A to 20C are layouts of a process of separating a disc bysliding a movable case; and

FIGS. 21A and 21C are layouts of a process of opening a window forrecord/playback of a disc.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

A disc cartridge assembly according to the present invention isexplained in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 21C as follows.

First of all, a disc cartridge assembly according to one embodiment ofthe present invention is explained with reference to FIGS. 4 to 12 asfollows.

FIG. 4 is a projected perspective diagram of a disc cartridge assemblyaccording to one embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 5 is aperspective diagram of the disc cartridge assembly in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a disc cartridge includes a casecomprising an upper case 10 and a lower case 20. The lower case 20 has awindow W provided for accessing drive information. The upper case 10 isseparated into a left upper case 21 and a right upper case 22confronting each other centering around its central part, and anexposure window 20 a exposing a label face of a disc is provided to thecentral part of the upper case 10.

A rotating ring 30, at which an outer circumference of the disc lands,is provided to insides of the upper and lower cases 10 and 20. First andsecond shutter parts 41 and 42, which are rotated centering on rotationshafts 11, respectively to open/close the window W, are provided belowthe rotating ring 30. And, holding protrusions 45 are provided to thefirst and second shutter parts 41 and 42 to hold an edge of the disc D,respectively.

Meanwhile, the disc cartridge further includes a rotating means forrotating the rotating ring 30 and a locking means for locking a rotationof the rotating ring 30 selectively.

A first separation-preventing member 25 is provided between the left andright upper cases 21 and 22 to prevent a separation of the disc D. Guideprotrusions (not shown in the drawing) are provided to the firstseparation-preventing member 25 or the left and right upper cases 21 and22 and guide recesses (not shown in the drawing) are provided to theleft and right upper cases 21 and 22 or the first separation-preventingmember 25. Preferably, the first separation-preventing member 25 is slidinto a space between the left and right upper cases 21 and 22 to beassembled thereto. Moreover, in order to prevent the firstseparation-preventing member 25 from being separated from the space, thefirst separation-preventing member 25 and the left and right upper cases21 and 22 are preferably fixed to each other by snap fitting.

A second separation-preventing member 26 is provided to an opposite sideof the first separation-preventing member 25. The secondseparation-preventing member 26 is placed within an area of the rotationring 30 to prevent the separation of the loaded disc D. And, an uppersurface of the second separation-preventing member 26 is graduallytilted downward toward its outside.

The disc cartridge includes a first link means for moving the first andsecond shutter parts 41 and 42 and a second link means for enabling theholding protrusions 45 to release the edge of the disc D when the firstand second shutter parts 41 and 42 are moved.

The first link means includes slots 43 provided to the first and secondshutter parts 41 and 42, respectively and protrusions 31 formed on therotating ring 30 to be inserted in the corresponding slots 43,respectively. Hence, as the rotating ring 30 is rotated, the protrusions31 push rims of the slots 43 to move the first and second shutter parts41 and 42, respectively.

And, the second link means includes the holding protrusions 45 and guiderails 23 formed at bottoms of the left and right upper cases 21 and 22to correspond to the holding protrusions 45, respectively. Hence, as thefirst and second shutter parts 41 and 42 are moved, the holdingprotrusions 45 are slid into the guide rails 23 to hold or release theedge of the disc D. In this case, each of the holding protrusions 45 hasa channel type cross-section to support a top and bottom of the edge ofthe disc D.

Moreover, stepped portions 41 a and 42 a are provided to confrontingsides of the first and second shutter parts 41 and 42 coming contactwith each other, respectively. The stepped portions 41 a and 42 a areoverlapped with each other to enhance rigidity of the confronting sidesof the first and second shutter parts 41 and 42.

Meanwhile, the rotating means includes a gear part 32 provided to oneside of an outer circumference of the rotating ring 30 and first andsecond hanging recesses 34 and 33 provided to the outer circumference ofthe rotating ring 30 next to both sides of the gear part 32.

And, the locking means includes a locking protrusion 53, an elasticpiece 52, and a locking lever 50. The locking protrusion 53 is lockedinto the second hanging recess 33 of the rotating ring 30 and theelastic piece 52 is provided to exert a force of restitution in adirection toward which the locking protrusion 53 is locked into thesecond hanging recess 33.

Moreover, the locking lever 50 has a handling protrusion 51 so that thelocking protrusion 53 can escape from the second hanging recess 33.Namely, if the handling protrusion 51 is pressed, the locking protrusion53 is separated from the second hanging recess 33. In doing so, thelocking lever 50 is turned centering on a rotational shaft 12 providedto the lower case 10.

Meanwhile, the rotating ring 30 and the handling protrusion 51, as shownin FIG. 5, are exposed outside via control slots 10 a formed between theright upper case 22 and lower case 10 of the disc cartridge.

A process of unloading the disc D from the disc cartridge is explainedas follows.

First of all, once the handling protrusion 51 of the locking lever 50 ispressed, the locking lever 50 is turned to separate the lockingprotrusion 53 from the second hanging recess 33 so that the rotatingring 30 becomes rotatable.

Simultaneously, once the rotating ring 30 is rotated, the interoperatingprotrusions 31 push the interoperating slots 43 provided to the firstand second shutter parts 41 and 42, respectively so that the first andsecond shutter parts 41 are turned centering on the rotation shafts 11,respectively. In doing so, the window W provided to the lower case 10 isopened via a gap between the separated shutter parts 41 and 42.

Moreover, the moment the window W is open due to the first and secondshutter parts 41 and 42 separated from each other, the holdingprotrusions 45 are slid in a direction getting farther from a center ofthe disc D along the guide rails 23, respectively to release the holdingstate of the disc D.

Subsequently, the first separation-preventing member 25, as shown inFIG. 5, is pushed away to escape from the domain of the rotating ring30. The disc D is then unloaded upward via the exposure window 20 a.And, a process of loading the disc D in the disc cartridge can beperformed in a reverse manner of the unloading process of the disc D.

Meanwhile, in order to facilitate the process of unloading the disc Dfrom the above-configured disc cartridge, a disc separating apparatuscan be used.

A disc separating apparatus according to the present invention isexplained in detail with reference to the attached drawings as follows.

FIG. 6 is a perspective diagram of a disc separating apparatus accordingto a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is across-sectional diagram of the disc separating apparatus in FIG. 6,FIGS. 8A to 8D are diagrams of an interoperating structure between thedisc separating apparatus in FIG. 6 and the disc cartridge in FIG. 4,and FIG. 9 is a perspective diagram of a disc separated by the discseparating apparatus.

Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, an entrance 110 is provided to a frontside of a disc separating apparatus 100 having a shape of an aboutrectangular case. A link device interoperating with the rotating meansof the disc to rotate the rotating ring is provided within one side ofthe separating apparatus 100. And, an opening 130, via which the disc Dreleased from the disc cartridge is unloaded, is provided to a topsideof the separating apparatus 100.

The link device includes a locking release protrusion 121, first andsecond opening gears 122 and 123, and first and second hangingprotrusions 124 and 125.

The locking release protrusion 121 releases a rotational locking of therotating ring 30 when the disc cartridge is inserted. The first andsecond opening gears 122 and 123 are provided to both sides of thelocking release protrusion 121 to rotate the rotating ring 30 while therotational locking of the rotating ring 20 is released. The firsthanging protrusion 124 is built in one body of the first opening gear122 to provide an initial rotational force to the rotating ring 30. Thesecond hanging protrusion 125 is built in one body of the second openinggear 123 to prevent a free rotation of the rotating ring 30 while thedisc cartridge is loaded.

The locking release protrusion 121 is coupled to an elastic member 142to be provided to an insertion hole 141 provided to a portion of aninside of the disc separating apparatus 100. Thus, the locking releaseprotrusion 121 enables to move elastically. Moreover, each of the firstand second hanging protrusions 124 and 125 is provided with a force ofrestitution in a direction of interfering with the rotating ring 30.Alternatively, the first and second hanging protrusions 124 and 125 canbe separated from the first and second opening gears 122 and 123 to beprovided with the configuration of the locking release protrusion 121,respectively.

A process of unloading the disc loaded in the disc cartridge using thedisc separating apparatus 100 is explained with reference to FIGS. 8A to9 as follows.

Referring to FIG. 8A, once the disc cartridge is inserted via theentrance 110 of the disc separating apparatus 100, the rotating meansexposed via the control slot 10 a of the disc cartridge interferes withthe link device provided within the disc separating apparatus 100.

Specifically, on the early stage of the insertion of the disc cartridge,the handling protrusion 51 of the locking lever 50 provided to the disccartridge interferes with the locking release protrusion 121 of the linkdevice to turn the locking lever 50. In doing so, the locking protrusion53 of the locking lever 50 is separated from the second hanging recess33 of the rotating ring 30.

Hence, the rotating ring 30 is in a rotatable state. And, the firsthanging protrusion 124 of the link device is inserted in the firsthanging recess 34 of the rotating ring 30 to rotate the rotating ring 30slightly until the gear part 32 of the rotating ring 30 engages with thefirst opening gear 122 of the link device. The rotating ring 30 is thenrotated by the rotational force so that the gear part 32 of the rotatingring 30 engages with the first opening gear 122 of the link device tokeep rotating the rotating ring 30.

If the disc cartridge keeps being inserted while the above-state ismaintained, the locking release protrusion 121 of the link device isinserted in the insertion groove 141 by the interference of the gearpart 32 of the rotating ring 30 and the gear part 32 engaging with thefirst and second opening gears 122 and 123 to keep being rotated.

Hence, once the disc cartridge is completely inserted in the discseparating apparatus 100, the second hanging protrusion 125 of the linkdevice, as shown in FIG. 8D, is inserted in the second hanging recess 33of the rotating ring 30 to hold the rotation of the rotating ring 30.

Meanwhile, as the rotating ring 30 is rotated in the course of insertingthe disc cartridge, the first and shutter parts 41 and 42 of the disccartridge are turned to open the window W.

Namely, as the rotating ring 30 is rotated, the link protrusions 31 pushto move the slots 43 provided to the first and second shutter parts 41and 42 to rotate centering on the rotation shafts 11, respectively. Indoing so, the window W is opened via the gap occurring between theshutter parts.

As the first and second shutter parts 41 and 42 are separated from eachother to open the window W, the holding protrusions 45 provided to thefirst and second shutter parts 41 and 42 are slid along the guide rails23 in directions getting farther from the center of the disc D torelease the locking state of the disc D, respectively.

In the course of inserting the disc cartridge in the disc separatingapparatus 100, the first separation-preventing member 25 is caught onthe interference protrusions 140 provided over the entrance 110 of thedisc separating apparatus 100 and is then slid outside to escape fromthe domain of the rotating ring 30.

After completion of inserting the disc cartridge in the disc separatingapparatus 100, the disc D is unloaded upward via the exposure window 20a of the disc cartridge and the opening 130 of the disc separatingapparatus 100.

Meanwhile, FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the disc separatingapparatus installed in a product body. When the disc separatingapparatus, as shown in the drawing, is installed at the product body P,the opening 130 provided to the topside of the disc separating apparatus100 is exposed outside.

In order to prevent particles such as dust and the like from enteringthe disc separating apparatus 100 via the opening 130, a cover C ispreferably provided to the topside of the disc separating apparatus 100to open/close the opening 130.

FIG. 11 is a perspective diagram of a disc separating apparatusaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 12 isa perspective diagram of a disc separated by the disc separatingapparatus.

Referring to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, an upper side of an entrance 210 of adisc separating apparatus 200 is open.

A separation-preventing member 25-1 of the disc cartridge ishinge-jointed to the disc cartridge. The separation-preventing member25-1 is turned upward/downward to release/hold the disc.

Hence, the disc separating apparatus 200 according to the secondembodiment of the present invention facilitates to unload the disc Dfrom the disc cartridge since the upper side of the opening 211 is open.

A disc cartridge assembly according to another embodiment of the presentinvention is explained with reference to FIGS. 13A to 18 as follows, inwhich the explanation of the same or like parts of the first embodimentof the present invention is skipped.

FIG. 13A is a projected perspective diagram of a disc cartridge assemblyaccording to another embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 13B isa perspective diagram of a disc cartridge assembly according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective diagram of an elastic button and FIG. 15A andFIG. 15B are perspective and cross-sectional diagrams of an elasticbutton and movement-preventing protrusion assembled to each other,respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 13A to 14, a disc cartridge according to the presentembodiment further includes a manual opening/closing module rotatablyprovided to slide in one sides of the cases 10 and 20. The manualopening/closing module is turned while assembled to the outercircumference of the rotating ring 30.

The manual opening/closing module includes upper and lower end movingparts 61 and 62, a locking lever 70, and a movement-preventingprotrusion 221, and an elastic button 81.

The upper and lower end moving parts 61 and 62 are rotatably provided toslide in one-side corners of the upper and lower cases 10 and 20,respectively. The locking lever 70 is rotatably provided within theupper and lower end moving parts 61 and 62 to be coupled to the outercircumference of the rotating ring 30. Hence, the locking lever 70selectively locks the rotation of the rotating ring 30.

The movement-preventing protrusion is projected from the upper case 20toward insides of the upper and lower end moving parts 61 and 62. And,the elastic button 81 including a head part 81 a exposed via an exposurehole 61 a formed at the upper end moving part 61 is provided to theupper end moving part 61.

Slide portions 611 and 621 of the upper and lower end moving parts 61and 62 come into contact with slide grooves 101 and 201 of the upper andlower cases 10 and 20 to be rotatably slid therein.

Meanwhile, the locking lever 70, which is coupled to a rotational shaft62 a provided to the lower end moving part 62, is turned overallcentering on the rotational shaft 62 a. A locking protrusion 71 providedto one end of the locking lever 70 is selectively locked/unlockedin/from to a locking recess 231 formed at the outer circumference of therotating ring 30. For this, the locking protrusion 71 is elasticallysupported by an elastic piece 72 to have a force of restitution towardthe locking recess 231. Moreover, a handling protrusion 73 is providedin one body to the locking lever 70. The handling protrusion 73 ispressed by an external force to separate the locking protrusion 71 fromthe locking recess 231. Alternatively, the elastic piece 72 can bereplaced by a spring.

Referring to FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B, an elastic rib 82 riveted to theupper end moving part 61 is connected to a lower end of the elasticbutton 81 to provide the force of restitution.

With the above configuration, the elastic button 81 is held at aninitial position by a movement-preventing protrusion 221 prior to beingpressed. Namely, the movement-preventing protrusion 221 is held by amovement-preventing sill 811 a provided to a movement-preventing recess811. Thereafter, after the elastic button 81 has been pressed once, themovement-preventing protrusion 221 deviates from the movement-preventingsill 811 a to freely move along a movement recess 812.

FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B are perspective and cross-sectional diagrams forexplaining interference between the elastic button and the lockinglever, in which the upper case and upper end moving part are removed.

Referring to FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B, while the elastic button 81 is heldat the initial position by the movement-preventing protrusion 221 priorto being pressed, a lower end of the elastic button 81 is placed over afixing recess 71 a provided to one side of the locking protrusion 71.Hence, the locking lever 70 is lies in a rotatably movable status. Yet,after the elastic button 81 has been pressed, the lower end of theelastic button 81 adheres closely to the fixing recess 71 a to preventthe rotation of the locking lever 70.

Referring to FIG. 17, once the elastic button 81 is pressed, the lowerend of the elastic button 81 is fitted in the fixing recess 71 a of thelocking lever 70. If the upper and lower end moving parts 61 and 62 areturned, the locking protrusion 71, which is being locked in the lockingrecess 31 of the rotating ring 30, is simultaneously rotated. Namely,the upper and lower end moving parts 61 and 62 are turned together withthe rotating ring 30.

Meanwhile, the first separation-preventing member 25 is provided to oneside of the upper case 20 to slide in the lower case 10. In case ofbeing pushed in a direction of a center of the lower case 10, the firstseparation-preventing member 25 is placed within a domain of the disc Dto prevent a separation of the disc D. And, a secondseparation-preventing member 226, of which inside tip is placed withinthe domain of the disc D, is provided to the other side of the uppercase 20 to prevent the separation of the disc D. Preferably, the firstseparation-preventing member 25 is fixed to the upper case 10 byreciprocal snap fitting.

Meanwhile, slots 43, as shown in FIG. 13A, are provided to the left andright shutters 41 and 42, respectively. And, protrusions 231 inserted inthe slots 43 are provided to the bottom of the rotating ring 30,respectively. Once the rotating ring 30 is rotated, the protrusions 231push rims of the slots 43 to move the left and right shutters 41 and 42,respectively. Hence, the window W becomes open.

A process of separating the disc from the disc cartridge according tothe present embodiment is explained with reference to the attacheddrawings as follows.

First of all, once the head part 81 a of the elastic button 81 exposedover the upper end moving part 61 is pressed, the hanging protrusion 221is switched to the state (cf. FIG. 15B) of being positioned at themovement recess 812 of the elastic button 81 from the state (cf. FIG.15A) of being positioned at the movement-preventing recess 811 of theelastic button. In doing so, the elastic button 81 becomes clockwiserotatable together wit the upper and lower end moving parts 61 and 62.

Moreover, once the elastic button 81 is pressed, the lower end of theelastic button 81 comes into adhering closely to the fixing recess 71 aprovided to one side of the locking protrusion 71 of the locking lever70 (cf. FIG. 16B). Hence, the locking protrusion. 71 is held by thelocking recess 231 provided to the outer circumference of the rotatingring 30.

If the upper and lower end moving parts 61 and 62 are turned clockwisewhile the elastic button 81 is pressed, the locking lever 70 is turnedtogether with the upper and lower end moving parts 61 and 62. In doingso, the locking protrusion 71 locked in the locking recess 31 turns therotating ring 30 simultaneously.

The upper and lower end moving parts 61 and 62, as shown in FIG. 17 andFIG. 18, are preferentially turned clockwise and tips of the upper andlower end moving parts 61 and 62 are then stopped by one side of acontrol slot S (cf. FIG. 18) provided to the upper and lower cases 10and 20.

Meanwhile, once the rotating ring 30 is rotated, the protrusions 31provided to the rotating ring 30 push to move the rims of the slots 43provided to the left and right shutters 41 and 42, respectively. Hence,the left and right shutters 41 and 42 are turned centering on therotations shafts 11 a and 11 b, respectively. In doing so, the window Wprovided to the lower case 10 becomes open via the gap occurring betweenthe shutters 41 and 42.

Moreover, the moment the left and right shutters 41 and 42 are separatedfrom each other to open the window W, the holding protrusions 45provided to the left and right shutters 41 and 42 are moved in adirection getting farther from the center of the disc D to release thelocking state of the disc D.

Subsequently, once the first separation-preventing member 25 provided tothe upper case 20 is externally pushed away, the exposure window 20 abecomes fully open. Hence, the disc D can be unloaded upward via theexposure window 20 a. Thus, it is facilitated to unload the disc D fromthe disc cartridge. And, a process of loading the disc D in the disccartridge can be performed in a reverse manner of the unloading processof the disc D.

Meanwhile, a process of opening/closing the window of the disc cartridgefor record/playback of the disc is explained as follows.

Referring to FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B, a gear part 232 and one operationalrecess 233 are further provided to the outer circumference of therotating ring 30 together with the locking recess 231. The gear part 232is exposed outside the disc cartridge and interoperates with an openingmember (not shown in the drawing) installed within the disc drive. Withsuch a configuration, after the window W provided to the disc cartridgehas been fully open, the record/playback of the disc D is carried out.

Specifically, once the disc cartridge is loaded in the disc drive, theopening member presses the handling protrusion 73 of the locking lever73 provided to the disc cartridge. In doing so, the locking protrusion71 escapes from the locking recess 231 of the rotating ring 30.

Subsequently, if the disc cartridge keeps being inserted, the openingmember interoperates with both of the operational recess 233 and thegear part 232 provided to the outer circumference of the rotating ring30 to rotate the rotating ring 30.

As the rotating ring 30 is rotated, the protrusions 31 push the rims ofthe slots 43 provided to the left and right shutters 41 and 42 to movethe left and right shutters 41 and 42, respectively, whereby the windowW becomes open. Hence, the disc drive is placed in a state enabling therecord/playback of disc information.

A disc cartridge assembly according to a further embodiment of thepresent invention is explained with reference to FIGS. 19A to 21C asfollows, in which the explanation of the same or like parts of theforegoing embodiment of the present invention is skipped.

FIG. 19A is a projected perspective diagram of a disc cartridgeaccording to a further embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 19Bis a perspective diagram of a disc cartridge according to a furtherembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 20A to 20C are layouts of a process of separating a disc from thedisc cartridge.

And, FIGS. 21A and 21C are layouts of a process of opening a window forrecord/playback of a disc.

Referring to FIG. 19A and FIG. 19B, a disc cartridge according to afurther embodiment of the present invention further includes a movablecase 360.

The moveable case 360 is provided movable to slide on one side of anupper case 320. Namely, in case of being moved in a direction gettingfarther from a center of the disc D, the movable case 360 interoperateswith a locking lever 350 and rotating ring 330 to release a lockingstate of the locking lever 350 and simultaneously to rotate the rotatingring 330. In doing so, left and right shutters 341 and 342interoperating with the rotating ring 300 become open.

For this, provided are a first link means for locking a rotation of therotating ring 330 selectively by turning the locking lever 350 accordingto a movement of the movable case 360 and a second link means foropening/closing the left and right shutters 341 and 342 interoperatingwith the rotating ring 330 by rotating the rotating ring 330 accordingto the movement of the movable case 360.

The locking lever 350, which is turned centering on a rotational shaft312 provided to one side of a lower case 310, includes a lockingprotrusion 351, an elastic piece 352, a handling protrusion 353, and arotating protrusion 354.

The locking protrusion 351 is selectively fitted in a hanging recess 333provided to an outer circumference of the rotating ring 330. And, theelastic piece 352 is provided to give a force of restitution toward thehanging recess 333 to the locking protrusion 351. In case of beingpressed by an external force, the handling protrusion 353 makes thelocking protrusion 351 escape from the hanging recess 333. And, therotating protrusion 354 is moved along a first rotation guide 361provided to the movable case 360.

Meanwhile, the first link means includes the rotating protrusion 354provided to the locking lever 350 and the first rotation guide 361provided the movable case 360 to receive the rotating protrusion 354therein. Hence, as the movable case 360 is slid to move, a rim of thefirst rotation guide 361 pushes the rotating protrusion 354 to turn thelocking lever 350.

The first rotation guide 361 includes a landing recess 361 a and anextension slot 361 b. The rotating protrusion 354 is inserted in thelanding recess 361 while the movable case 360 is closed, whereby thelocking lever 350 maintains a state of locking the rotating ring 330. Onthe other hand, the extension slot 361 b communicates with the landingrecess 361 a. As the movable case 360 is moved, a rim of the extensionslot 361 b pushes the rotating protrusion 354 to turn the locking lever350. In doing so, the rotating ring 330 is released from the lockingstate.

Meanwhile, the second link means, as shown in FIG. 20A, includes anopening/closing protrusion 330 a and a second rotation guide 362. Theopening/closing protrusion 330 a is provided to the rotating ring 330and the second rotation guide 362 is provided to the movable case 360 tohold the opening/closing protrusion 330 a therein. Hence, as the movablecase 360 is moved, a rim of the second rotation guide 362 pushes theopening/closing protrusion 330 a to rotate the rotating ring 330.

The second rotation guide 362 includes a rectangular opening protrusion362 a and a rectangular closing protrusion 362 b leaving a prescribeddistance from the opening protrusion 362 a. When the movable case 360 ismoved in a direction getting farther from the center of the disc D, arim of the opening protrusion 362 a pushes the opening/closingprotrusion 330 a to rotate the rotating ring 330 clockwise. In doing so,the left and right shutters 341 and 342 interoperating with the rotatingring 330 become open.

On the other hand, when the movable case 360 is moved in a directiongetting closer to the center of the disc D, a rim of the closingprotrusion 362 b pushes the opening/closing protrusion 330 a to rotatethe rotating ring 330 counterclockwise. In doing so, the left and rightshutters 341 and 342 interoperating with the rotating ring 330 becomeclosed.

Meanwhile, holding protrusions 345 are provided to the left and rightshutters 341 and 342 to prevent a fluctuation of the disc D,respectively. And, the disc cartridge further includes third and fourthlink means. The third link means moves the left and right shutters 341and 342 to open/close the window W according to the rotation of therotating ring 330.

And, the fourth link means moves to interoperate with the holdingshutters as the left and right shutters 341 and 342 are opened orclosed. In this case, each of the holding protrusions 345 has a channeltype cross-section to support a top and bottom of the edge of the discD.

The third link means includes slots 343 provided to the left and rightshutters 341 and 342, respectively and protrusions 331 provided to therotating ring 330 to be inserted in the corresponding slots 343,respectively. Hence, as the rotating ring 330 is rotated, theprotrusions 331 push rims of the slots 343 to move the left and rightshutters 341 and 342, respectively, whereby the window W provided to thelower case 310 can be open or closed.

And, the fourth link means includes the holding protrusions 345 andguide rails 323 formed at a bottom of the upper cases 320 to guidemotions of the holding protrusions 345, respectively. Hence, as the leftand right shutters 341 and 342 are open/closed, the holding protrusions345 are slid along the guide rails 323 to hold or release the edge ofthe disc D, respectively.

Moreover, stepped portions 341 a and 342 a are provided to confrontingsides of the left and right shutters 341 and 342 coming contact witheach other, respectively. The stepped portions 341 a and 342 a areoverlapped with each other to enhance rigidity of a coupling between theconfronting sides of the left and right shutters 341 and 342.

Meanwhile, further provided to the outer circumference of the rotatingring 330 is a rotational interoperation means for opening the window Wvia the rotation of the rotating ring 330 and the movements of the leftand right shutters 341 and 342 by the interoperation with the drive forrecord/playback of the disc D.

The rotational interoperation means includes the hanging recess 333, thegear part 332, and a moving recess 334. The hanging recess 333 isprovided to the outer circumference of the rotating ring 330, and thelocking protrusion 351 of the locking lever 350, which selectively locksthe rotation of the rotating ring 330, is inserted in the hanging recess333. The gear part 332 is provided to one side of the hanging recess 333and the moving recess 334 is provided to the other side of the gear part332.

Meanwhile, a separation-preventing member 370 is provided to an oppositeside to the movable case 360. An inside end of the separation-preventingmember 370 lies within a domain of the disc D to prevent a separation ofthe disc D. Coupling protrusion 370 a are provided to a topside of theseparation-preventing member 370 and coupling recesses 320 b areprovided to a bottom of the upper case to correspond to the couplingprotrusions 320 b. Preferably, the coupling protrusions 370 a are fixedto the coupling recesses 320 b by snap fitting, respectively.

Meanwhile, Guide protrusions are provided to either the movable case 360or the upper case 320 and guide grooves 320 c are provided to either theupper case 320 or the movable case 360. The guide protrusions are fittedin the guide grooves 320 c so that a sliding movement of the movablecase 360 can be guided.

In case that the movable case 360 is moved to an outside end of theupper case 320, the first and second rotation guides 362 fitted in theguide grooves 320 prevent the movable case 360 from being detached fromthe upper case 320.

And, a locking means for fixing the movable case 360 having been slidinto a central part of the upper case 320 thereto is provided. Thelocking means includes fitting protrusions 320d provided to either themovable case 360 or the upper case 320 and fitting recesses 360 aprovided to either the upper case 320 or the movable case 360. Thefitting protrusions 320 d are fitted into the fitting recesses 360 a bysnap fitting, respectively.

Moreover, slip-preventing protrusions 360 b are provided to a topside ofthe movable case 360 to facilitate to slide the movable case 360. Aninside end of the movable case 360 lies within a disc domain of therotating ring 330 to prevent the separation of the disc D.

A process of separating a disc from the disc cartridge is explained withreference to FIGS. 20A to 20C as follows.

First of all, the separating process is divided into a first open stateand a second open state.

In the first open state, the locking of the locking lever 350 isreleased in the course of sliding to move the movable case 360 from theupper case 320 in a direction getting farther from the center of thedisc D. Subsequently, in the second open state, the rotating ring 330 isrotated to move the left and right shutters 341 and 342 in the course ofkeeping moving the movable case 360 so that the holding state of thedisc D is released.

The first and second open states are explained in detail as follows.

Referring to FIG. 20A, in a state that the movable case 360 is closed tothe upper case 320, the rotating protrusion 354 of the locking lever 350is inserted in the landing recess 361 a of the first rotation guide 361and the locking protrusion 351 of the locking lever 350 is inserted inthe hanging recess 333 of the rotating ring 330 to restrict the rotationof the rotating ring 330.

Referring to FIG. 20B, once the movable case 360 is slid to move in thedirection getting farther from the center of the disc D, the rotatingprotrusion 354 of the locking lever 350 is moved along an inside of theslot 361 b of the first rotation guide 361 to turn the locking lever350.

In doing so, the locking protrusion 351 is separated from the hangingrecess 333 of the rotating ring 330 to release the locking of therotating ring 330. Thus, the first open state is achieved.

Subsequently, if the movable case 360 keeps being slid to move, theopening/closing protrusion 330 a provided to the rotating ring 330 ispushed to move by the rim of the opening protrusion 362 a of the secondrotation guide 362.

Referring to 20C, as the opening/closing protrusion 330 a is moved, therotating ring 330 is rotated clockwise and the left and right shutters341 and 342 interoperating with the rotating ring 330 are moved. Indoing so, the holding protrusions 345 provided to the left and rightshutters 341 and 342 release the holding state of the disc D. Thus, thesecond open state is achieved. Hence, the disc D can be unloaded fromthe disc cartridge via the exposure window 320 a of the upper case 320.Meanwhile, a process of loading the disc D in the disc cartridge isperformed in a reverse manner of the above-explained separating process.

A process of opening/closing the window of the disc cartridge having thedisc loaded therein according to the present invention is explained withreference to FIGS. 21A to 21C as follows.

As shown in the drawings, the hanging recess 333, gear part 332, andmoving recess 334 are provided to the outer circumference of therotating ring 330 and an opening member (not shown in the drawing) isprovided within a disc drive. In this case, the rotating ring of thedisc cartridge interoperates with the opening member (not shown n thedrawing). Hence, information of the disc D is reproduced after thewindow W of the disc cartridge has been fully open.

Specifically, once the disc cartridge, as shown in FIG. 21A, is insertedin the disc drive, the opening member of the disc drive, as shown inFIG. 21B, presses the handling protrusion 353 of the locking lever 350.In doing so, the locking protrusion 351 is separated from the hangingrecess 333 provided to the rotating ring 330.

Subsequently, if the disc cartridge keeps being inserted, the openingmember interoperates with the moving recess 334 and gear part 332provided to the outer circumference of the rotating ring 330 to rotatethe rotating ring 330. In doing so, the moving recess 334 is coupled toa moving recess drive unit (not shown in the drawing) of the disc driveto generate an initial torque of the rotating ring 330.

Referring to FIG. 21C, once the rotating ring 330 is rotated, theprotrusions 331 provided to the rotating ring 330 interoperate with theslots 343 provided to the left and right shutters 341 and 342,respectively. In doing so, the left and right shutters 341 and 342 aremoved to open the window W provided to the lower case 310 via the spaceoccurring between the shutters. The recorded information of the disc Dcan be reproduced by the disc drive via the window W.

Accordingly, the disc cartridge assembly according to the presentinvention provides the following advantages or effects.

First of all, the disc cartridge of the present invention is applicableto the portable record player enabling to receive a single disc entityonly as well as the portable record player enabling to receive adisc-loaded cartridge, thereby preventing the damage of the disc.

Secondly, the disc separating apparatus according to the presentinvention facilitates to load/unload a disc in/from the disc cartridge.And, the disc cartridge safely kept within the disc separating apparatuscan be prevented from being lost.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present invention. Thus,it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

1. A disc cartridge assembly comprising: a lower case having a windowfor a drive access; an upper case provided onto the lower case, theupper case having an exposure window provided to a central part toexpose a label face of a disc; a rotating ring rotatably provided withinthe upper and lower cases to receive an outer circumference of the disc;at least one shutter provided within the upper and lower cases toopen/close the window by interoperating with a rotation of the rotatingring; and a rotating means for rotating the rotating ring byinteroperating with an external device.
 2. The disc cartridge assemblyof claim 1, further comprising a first link means for making the atleast one shutter interoperate with the rotation of the rotating ring.3. The disc cartridge assembly of claim 2, the first link meanscomprising: at least one slot provided to the at least one shutter; andat least one protrusion provided to a bottom surface of the rotatingring to be inserted in the at least one slot, wherein the at least oneprotrusion pushes a rim of the at least one slot to move the at leastone shutter according to the rotation of the rotating ring.
 4. The disccartridge assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a holding protrusionprovided to the shutter; and a second link means making the holdingprotrusion interoperate with a movement of the shutter to hold an edgeof the disc selectively.
 5. The disc cartridge assembly of claim 4, thesecond link means comprising a guide rail provided to a bottom surfaceof the upper case to guide a movement of the holding protrusion whereinthe holding protrusion slid along the guide rail according to a rotationof the shutter holds or releases the edge of the disc.
 6. The disccartridge assembly of claim 4, wherein the holding protrusion has achannel type cross-section to support a top and bottom of the edge ofthe disc.
 7. The disc cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein the atleast one shutter comprises first and second shutter parts coupled torotation shafts provided to the lower case to open/close the window viaa gap appearing when the first and second shutter parts are rotatedcentering on the rotation shafts, respectively.
 8. The disc cartridgeassembly of claim 7, wherein stepped portions are provided to the firstand second shutter parts so that contact portions of the first andsecond shutter parts can be overlapped with each other while the windowis closed.
 9. The disc cartridge assembly of claim 1, the rotating meanscomprising: a gear part provided to one side of an outer circumferenceof the rotating ring to be externally exposed between the upper andlower cases; a hanging recess provided to one side of the gear part; anda locking means for locking the rotation of the rotating ringselectively by being coupled to the rotating ring.
 10. The disccartridge assembly of claim 9, the locking means comprising: a lockingprotrusion interfering with the outer circumference of the rotatingring; an elastic piece providing the locking protrusion with arestitution force in an interfering direction of the locking protrusionwith the rotating ring; and a locking lever having a handling protrusionprotruding to be externally exposed to be turned centering on arotational shaft provided to either the upper case or the lower case.11. The disc cartridge assembly of claim 1, the upper case comprising: aleft upper case; a right upper case separated from the left case toconfront; a first separation-preventing member provided to one sidebetween the left and right upper cases to selectively open the exposurewindow to load/unload the disc; and a second separation-preventingmember provided to the other side between the left and right uppercases, the second separation-preventing member lying within a domain ofthe rotating ring to prevent a separation of the disc.
 12. The disccartridge assembly of claim 12, wherein the first separation-preventingmember is selectively slid along the upper case.
 13. The disc cartridgeassembly of claim 11, wherein the first separation-preventing member ishinge-coupled to the upper case to be selectively turned upward ordownward.
 14. The disc cartridge assembly of claim 11, wherein a topsideof the second separation-preventing member is gradually tilted downwardin an external direction.
 15. The disc cartridge assembly of claim 11,wherein a protrusion is provided to either the firstseparation-preventing member or the left/right upper case, wherein aninsertion recess is provided to either the left/right upper case or thefirst separation-preventing member to confront the protrusion, andwherein the protrusion is fitted in the insertion recess by snapfitting.
 16. The disc cartridge assembly of claim 1, further comprisinga disc separating apparatus for separating the disc by interoperatingwith the rotating means.
 17. The disc cartridge assembly of claim 16,the disc separating apparatus comprising: an entrance provide to a frontside to receive a disc cartridge; an opening provided to a topside toload/unload the disc; and a link device provided to one inside to rotatethe rotating ring by interoperating with the rotating means of the disccartridge.
 18. The disc cartridge assembly of claim 17, the link devicecomprising: a locking release protrusion releasing a locking of therotation of the rotating ring on insertion of the disc cartridge; anopening gear rotating the rotating ring while the locking of therotation of the rotating ring is released; and a hanging protrusionpreventing a free rotation of the rotating ring while the disc cartridgeis loaded.
 19. The disc cartridge assembly of claim 18, wherein thehanging protrusion is provided with a restitution force in aninterfering direction.
 20. The disc cartridge assembly of claim 18,wherein the locking release protrusion is coupled to an elastic memberto be provided to an insertion recess provided to one side of the discseparating apparatus so that a portion of the locking release protrusionis elastically moved via the insertion recess.
 21. The disc cartridgeassembly of claim 17, further comprising: a first separation preventingmember slid along one side of the upper case to selectively open theopening; and an interference protrusion provided to the entrance of thedisc separating apparatus to open the opening by being contacted withthe first separation-preventing member.
 22. The disc cartridge assemblyof claim 17, further comprising a first separation-preventing memberhinge-coupled to one side of the upper case to selectively open/closethe opening wherein an upper side of the entrance of the disc separatingapparatus corresponding to the first separation-preventing member isopen.
 23. The disc cartridge assembly of claim 17, wherein a coveropening/closing the opening is provided to a topside of the discseparating apparatus.
 24. The disc cartridge assembly of claim 1,further comprising a manual opening/closing module provided to onsidesof the upper and lower cases to be selectively rotated centering on acenter of the disc, the manual opening/closing module interfering withan outer circumference of the rotating ring to rotate the rotating ring.25. The disc cartridge assembly of claim 24, the manual opening/closingmodule comprising: upper and lower end moving parts rotatably providedto be selectively slid along the one sides of the upper and lower cases;and a locking lever turned centering on a rotational shaft providedwithin the upper and lower end moving parts to selectively lock therotation of the rotating ring.
 26. The disc cartridge assembly of claim25, the manual opening/closing module further comprising a locking meansfor locking a sliding rotation of the upper and lower end moving partsselectively.
 27. The disc cartridge assembly of claim 26, the lockingmeans comprising: a movement-preventing protrusion projected from theupper case toward insides of the upper and lower end moving parts; anelastic button pressed by an external force to be selectively restrictedby the movement-preventing protrusion; and an elastic rib supporting theelastic button to give a restitution force in a direction opposite tothe external force.
 28. The disc cartridge assembly of claim 27, theelastic button comprising: a movement-preventing recess having amovement-preventing sill on an outside to be restricted by themovement-preventing protrusion; and a moving recess provided over themovement-preventing recess to enable a free movement of themovement-preventing protrusion.
 29. The disc cartridge assembly of claim27, wherein a lower end of the elastic button is placed over a fixingrecess provided to the locking lever to enable a rotational movement ofthe locking lever on an early stage and wherein if the elastic button ispressed by the external force, the lower end of the elastic button isinserted in the fixing recess to restrict a rotation of the lockinglever.
 30. The disc cartridge assembly of claim 25, the locking levercomprising: a locking protrusion selectively coupled to the outercircumference of the rotating ring to restrict the rotation of therotating ring; an elastic piece providing a restitution force in adirection that the locking protrusion is coupled to the rotating ring;and a handling protrusion externally exposed to operate a rotation ofthe locking protrusion.
 31. The disc cartridge assembly of claim 1,further comprising; a locking lever provided to be rotated centering ona rotational movement shaft provided to the lower case to selectivelylock the rotation of the rotating ring according to a rotation of thelocking lever; and a movable case provided movable to slide along oneside of the upper case, the movable case interoperating with the lockinglever to selectively release a locking state of the rotating ring, themovable case rotating the rotating ring by interoperating with therotating ring.
 32. The disc cartridge assembly of claim 31, the lockinglever comprising: a locking protrusion selectively inserted in a hangingrecess provided to an outer circumference of the rotating ring; anelastic piece providing the locking protrusion with a restitution forcein a direction of the hanging recess; a handling protrusion pressed byan external force to separate the locking protrusion from the hangingrecess; and a rotational movement protrusion protruding to interoperatewith a first rotation guide provided to the movable case.
 33. The disccartridge assembly of claim 33, further comprising: a first link meansfor making the movable case and the locking lever interoperate with eachother; and a second link means for making the movable case and therotating ring interoperate with each other.
 34. The disc cartridgeassembly of claim 33, the first link means comprising: a rotationalmovement protrusion provided to the locking lever; and a first rotationguide provided to a bottom of the movable case to receive the rotationalmovement protrusion therein, wherein a rim of the first rotation guidepushes the rotational movement protrusion according to a movement of themovable case to turn the locking lever.
 35. The disc cartridge assemblyof claim 34, the first rotation guide comprising: a landing recesshaving the rotational movement protrusion inserted therein so that thelocking lever can lock the rotating ring in case of closing the movablecase; and a slot connected to the landing recess wherein a rim of theslot pushes the rotational movement protrusion according to the movementof the movable case to turn the locking lever.
 36. The disc cartridgeassembly of claim 33, the second link means comprising: anopening/closing protrusion provided to the rotating ring; and a secondrotation guide provided to the movable case to receive theopening/closing protrusion, wherein a rim of the second rotation guidepushes the opening/closing protrusion according to a movement of themovable case to rotate the rotating ring.
 37. The disc cartridgeassembly of claim 36, the second rotation guide comprising: arectangular opening protrusion protruding from the movable case; and arectangular closing protrusion protruding to leave a prescribed distancefrom the rectangular opening protrusion, wherein the opening/closingprotrusion lies between the rectangular opening and closing protrusions.38. The disc cartridge assembly of claim 31, wherein the at least oneshutter comprises left and right shutters having holding protrusions forholding an edge of the disc, respectively.
 39. The disc cartridgeassembly of claim 38, wherein each of the holding protrusions has achannel type cross-section to support a top and bottom of the edge ofthe disc.
 40. The disc cartridge assembly of claim 38, furthercomprising: a third link means for making the left and right shuttersinteroperate with the rotation of the rotating ring; and a fourth linkmeans for making the holding protrusion interoperate with movements ofthe left and right shutters.
 41. The disc cartridge assembly of claim40, the fourth link means comprising: slots provided to the left andright shutters, respectively; and protrusions provided to the rotatingring to be fitted in the slots, respectively, wherein the protrusionspush rims of the slots according to the rotation of the rotating ring tomove the left and right shutters, respectively.
 42. The disc cartridgeassembly of claim 40, the fourth link means comprising guide railsprovided to a bottom surface of the upper case to guide movements of theholding protrusions, respectively, wherein the holding protrusions aremoved along the guide rails according to the movements of the left andright shutters to selectively hold an edge of the disc, respectively.43. The disc cartridge assembly of claim 31, the rotating meanscomprising: a hanging recess provided to an outer circumference of therotating ring; a gear part provided to one side of the hanging recess tointeroperate with the external device; and a moving recess provided toone side of the gear part.
 44. The disc cartridge assembly of claim 31,wherein a guide protrusion provided to either the movable case or theupper case is fitted in a guide recess provided to either the upper caseor the movable case to guide a sliding movement of the movable case. 45.The disc cartridge assembly of claim 31, wherein the movable case isselectively fixed to the upper case by snap fitting.
 46. The disccartridge assembly of claim 31, wherein a slip-preventing protrusion isprovided to a topside of the movable case.
 47. The disc cartridgeassembly of claim 31, wherein an inside end of the movable case lieswithin a disc domain of the rotating ring to prevent a separation of thedisc.
 48. A disc cartridge assembly comprising: a lower case having awindow for a drive access; an upper case provided onto the lower case,the upper case having an exposure window provided to a central part toexpose a label face of a disc; a rotating ring rotatably provided withinthe upper and lower cases to receive an outer circumference of the disc;a shutter provided within the upper and lower cases to open/close thewindow by interoperating with a rotation of the rotating ring; a holdingprotrusion provided to the shutter to selectively hold an edge of thedisc according to a movement of the shutter; and a rotating means forrotating the rotating ring.
 49. A disc cartridge assembly comprising: alower case having a window for a drive access; an upper case providedonto the lower case, the upper case having an exposure window providedto a central part to expose a label face of a disc; a rotating ringrotatably provided within the upper and lower cases to receive an outercircumference of the disc; left and right shutters provided within theupper and lower cases to open/close the window by interoperating with arotation of the rotating ring; holding protrusions provided to the leftand right shutters to selectively hold an edge of the disc according tomovements of the left and right shutters, respectively; and a manualopening/closing module provided to one sides of the upper and lowercases to be selectively rotated centering on a center of the disc, themanual opening/closing module interfering with an outer circumference ofthe rotating ring to rotate the rotating ring.
 50. A disc cartridgeassembly comprising: a lower case having a window for a drive access; anupper case provided onto the lower case, the upper case having anexposure window provided to a central part to expose a label face of adisc; a rotating ring rotatably provided within the upper and lowercases to receive an outer circumference of the disc; left and rightshutters provided within the upper and lower cases to open/close thewindow by interoperating with a rotation of the rotating ring; holdingprotrusions provided to the left and right shutters to selectively holdan edge of the disc according to movements of the left and rightshutters, respectively; a locking lever rotatably provided to the lowercase, the locking lever rotated to selectively lock the rotation of therotating ring; and a movable case provided movable to slide along oneside of the upper case, the movable case interoperating with the lockinglever to selectively release a locking state of the rotating ring, themovable case rotating the rotating ring by interoperating with therotating ring.